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International Summer School in Forced Migration

Forthcoming Dates

Location

About the Summer School

The Summer School offers an intensive, interdisciplinary and participative approach to the study of forced migration. It aims to enable people working with refugees and other forced migrants to reflect critically on the forces and institutions that dominate the world of the displaced. Now in its 28th year, the two-week intensive course combines the very best of Oxford University’s academic excellence with a stimulating and participatory method of critical learning and reflection.

Participants - who is the summer school for?

The Summer School is principally designed for policymakers and practitioners working on refugee protection and related issues, normally with several (usually at least five) years of work experience. Participants typically include staff of the main refugee, migration and humanitarian international organisations; staff from refugee, human rights and humanitarian NGOs; and government officials working on refugee protection and related issues. We are particularly keen to include those from a refugee background who work for refugee advocacy and community groups.

Participants also include scholars and researchers working directly on refugee and forced migration issues; practicing lawyers and advocates working on refugee and human rights law pertaining to forced migrants; journalists, commentators and activists working on refugee protection and the human rights of forced migrants

Testimonials from former participants

The Refugee Studies Centre’s Summer School provides a great opportunity for practitioners to take time out to reflect on some of the theoretical and operational challenges involved in responding to forced displacement. As an alumna almost 20 years ago, I’ve experienced first-hand the benefits of learning from the RSC’s world-class expertise on these issues. I have returned to the RSC Summer School to lecture several times, and have always been met by a fantastic atmosphere and engaging participants. Whether as an introduction to displacement or simply a refresher to seasoned professionals, this comes highly recommended! Sara Pantuliano (Managing Director, Overseas Development Institute), Summer School 2000

The Summer School exceeded my expectations in every respect. Excellent speakers and academic input combined with opportunity to network with participants from across the globe made for both an enjoyable learning environment and a deeper understanding of the law and challenges around forced migration. John Vine CBE QPM (Former Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration UK), Summer School 2015

Participants are the wealth of the Summer School. The diversity and expertise are just stunning. I have even met people who work in the same field back in my own country for the first time at the Summer School… you can tap into crisis, conflict contexts, refugees gathering perspectives from the field, the UN, law experts and policy makers with multiple insights, reflections and understandings. Abed El-Ayi (UNDP), Summer School 2016

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have:

substantial experience in working with, or on issues related to, refugees or other forced migrants;

a first degree as a minimum;

proficiency in the English language. As a guide, foreign-language English speakers should be able to obtain a score of 7.00 in ELTS/IELTS or 570 in TOEFL.*

*Please note that if your first language is not English, or if your first language is English but you are not a national of the UK, Ireland or a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you must supply suitable evidence that you have reached the relevant higher or standard level before any offer of a place can be confirmed. The requirement to provide English language test scores may be waived in cases where you have successfully completed or are currently completing a degree-level or postgraduate course that is: full-time, at least nine months long, undertaken at a recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment throughout the course is entirely in English.

Fees

The fee for 2017 is £3,050. Early-bird fee (apply and register by 31 March 2017): £2,950.

Funding

Asfari Foundation bursaries are available for Summer School candidates who work on refugee-related issues from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria (or Palestinians and Syrians resident in the Arab world). Candidates wishing to be considered for bursary support must apply directly via the International Summer School office and not contact the donors. Please note the deadline for a bursary application to the International Summer School is 1 February 2017.

Should additional funding become available details will be made available on the Refugee Studies Centre website.